Parliament Speaker Nasheed meets Minister Shahid in India

Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has met Maldivian Foreign Minister, President of the United Nation’s General Assembly Abdulla Shahid in India.

Nasheed who departed for India two days ago on an unofficial visit met Shahid last night during India’s GMR Group’s Chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao’s grandchild’s wedding party.

Shahid who is currently on an official trip to India in his capacity as the President of the UN General Assembly to meet senior Indian government officials has held other meetings with Nasheed apart from last night as well. However, the topics of discussions during these meetings have not been disclosed.

Their meeting comes after Nasheed had remarked that a third option must be considered when granting Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) presidential ticket – adding Shahid meets the requirements for presidency. 

Speaking in the fifth episode of ‘Ask Speaker’ show in July, Nasheed said that he believes President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih running for a second term is not ideal for the main ruling party, MDP.

He also underscored that ahead of President Solih announcing his candidacy for 2018’s presidential election – Shahid had met with him and requested to contest the election as MDP’s candidate.

Nasheed said that back then, he had told Shahid that the most capable candidate for 2018’s election was President Solih.

“In 2018, I told Shahid back then that he clearly ticks all the requirements to be the president of Maldives,” he added.

However, Shahid has expressed support for a presidential system instead of a parliamentary system which is strongly backed by Nasheed.

Nevertheless, Shahid has yet to express support for either Nasheed or President Solih who are expected to contest for MDP’s presidential ticket.

Therewith, some speculate that Shahid may contest for the presidential ticket as well.